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I was born in Matanzas, Cuba, on May 4th of 1955. I am the eldest of
three which the other two are married. The older one has a
14-year-old boy, the other one has a 14-year-old girl. My parents,
Jose and Laudelina Ors, live in South Florida, as do my brothers.
Since I was a little girl I went to catechism classes; “Aunt Nena”
would pick us up. She was in charge of gathering together all of the
children and young adults to take them to the classes. We were a
rather large group in the parish. Aunt Nena was a rather reserved
lady, serious, but very kind; I think that her fidelity and goodness
marked the lives of all those who met her.
After having received all of the sacraments, my parents made the
request to come to the United States. During that time we had
stopped going to Church due to the retaliations.
When I was 15 years old, we had the opportunity to emigrate. Already
here in the United States, my parents began to attend Mass, from
time to time, on Sundays; but if I could, I would not go.
Although I was a girl of principles, I enjoyed what any young lady
likes: to go out, dance, have fun with my friends, etc. I worked,
and what I earned, I would use it for my things. God was not a part
of my life, at least I did not see him; I lived a wholesome life,
and looking back I acknowledge that God was always present and
protected me from many things.
When I was 12, my younger brother became ill; he would get
convulsions and become very sick. It was a difficult time for the
entire family, especially for me. I think that God used his sickness
so that I would return to the Church.
During this time, my parents and brothers were very involved in the
Church, they would go to mass every Sunday and they would go to the
different groups and ministries. I did not want to be a part of any,
I would see my brothers sharing and I even made fun of them, but,
thank God, they would not pay any attention to me.
In a short time, the group of young adults of the parish started to
grow, and due to my brother’s sickness, I would start attending, and
I liked it. We were a relatively small group, but we got along well.
We would take part in faith sharing and we would go out and have fun
together.
Seeking my brother’s healing, we went to different places, even to
those that presented themselves as Catholic, but that were not. We
met the Charismatic Renewal when the group began in the parish; but
I really did not like it, I preferred the young adult group. With
time, our group became in charge of the group of young people who
were in crisis. The union of the two groups did not work since
members left and only about 12 people remained in both groups.
In this time, the Archdiocese offered a retreat for young adults
that would be given by the community of “Taize.” It was a lovely
experience, especially for me since it was an experience that
changed my life. Without knowing it or wanting it, I met my Mother
Foundress in that retreat. She was not a religious at that time. God
has his paths that are the wisest.
She belonged to a charismatic group which I began to attend, and
that is where a relationship with her was started. Two months later,
she offered a women’s retreat which I attended and she announced a
mission to the Dominican Republic during the summer.
God started working in my life in a manner that was unknown to me. I
felt growing inside me a desire to know Him, to know his will, to
know what he wanted of me, and so I asked to go on the mission in
the Dominican Republic.
During our stay in the Dominican Republic, the Holy Spirit started
healing and liberating my heart so that I could finally hear the
voice of God, who from all eternity called me to be His. In that
year of 1985, in the chapel of the Virgin of Schoenstatt, our
Foundress Mother Adela renewed her consecration to Mary that she had
done the year before in the same place; but, additionally, she
offered her entire life to the Lord through the vows of chastity,
poverty and obedience.
That moment was very special for everyone, and some of us pondered
over many questions. Some of us considered the call to the
consecrated life for the first time, without knowing what it was. In
my case, I knew that something had radically changed in my heart.
When I returned to Miami, I had already heard the voice of the Lord,
but I did not want to be a religious. I did not know too well what
it entailed and I also did not have the correct notion of what
religious life was. One of the young ladies from my parish who had
accompanied me in the mission confirmed to me what the Lord wanted
from me.
I started to attend Holy Mass more frequently, daily if possible. I
also went to healing masses and I faithfully attended the prayer
group. I began to have prayer time, to receive more frequently the
sacrament of Reconciliation, to read more religious books and to
have more direction in my Christian life, in such a way that I was
able to confront the struggles more directly.
In this same year of 1985, some months after returning from the
Dominican Republic, I offered my life to the Lord, along with Sister
Maria Teresa, in chastity, obedience, and poverty.
I had doubts and I questioned whether or not this was the will of
God. But when the Lord calls, he gives the grace with the call. His
invitation to follow him wherever he went and our yes inserted in
the “fiat” of the Blessed Virgin makes our weakness strong.
I have been called and chosen to form part of a new Foundation and I
have the great honor and joy of living with our Foundress, something
that makes the path easier. We are drinking water from the source,
and I ask that God grants me and all of the sisters the grace to
live this vocation in holiness.
I pray, so that through the hands of the Blessed Virgin, I may
always be in the Heart of Christ. And to you sister who looks for
the will of God in religious life I tell you: BE NOT AFRAID of
giving your unconditional YES to Jesus who has called you and chosen
you from all eternity.
“Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for stern as
death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its
flames are a blazing fire. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor do
floods sweep it away. Were one to offer all he owns to purchase
love, he would be roundly mocked.” (Song of Songs 8:6-7)
“All
for the Heart of Jesus through the heart of Mary.”
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